It's been a week since we left Texas and the Expo that was held down there. We needed a week to digest everything and to pray. We went to the Expo with really no expectations. The IMB just went through a major restructure which left us wondering where we fit into the new process for appointing people overseas. Well, this weekend was very informational and we got basically all of our questions answered. What we didn't expect was to be hit so hard by the reality of lostness around the world. There are still huge pockets of people that are not only without Christ, but have never even had the chance to hear. Nobody has come and told them of the only one who can save them. There is no Bible in there language, they don't even have a written language. These are unengaged, unreached people groups. What we were struck with was our own arrogance. Since we were married our plan had always been to go to Japan as full time missionaries. We felt like that's where God was calling us and it all we ever thought of. We had never even considered going anywhere else. For us, Japan was it. I'm not saying it was wrong that we felt called to a specific people. It's biblical. But we are called not to a people, but first to our God. We are called to cling to and worship Him, not our calling. Our spirit was checked and we left the Expo saying, "anywhere, anything, just send us."
Let me say this, God has not said "no" to Japan. Japan is a dark place spiritually. Pray for them. Pray for the missionaries over there. I think of Isaiah 62 which says,
                       "Go through, go through the gates;
                           prepare the way for the people;
                                build up, build up the highway;
                                       clear it of stones;"
The work in Japan is that of taking stones away and making the ground fertile for God's Word. It is tedious and requires perseverance, but God gets all the glory when one turns from their idols and worships Him. No, God has not said "no". He has said, "Seek me first. Are you willing to obey me and trust me, whatever I do, wherever I place you?" We will hear back in 3 weeks whether or not we are invited to continue in this process. We both feel a peace and not anxious about this. We are more excited as the time draws closer and for the things He is revealing to us here.